Device



Dec. 21 1926.

F. E. MARTIN FLU ID PRESSURE TAPERING DEVICE Filed Feb. 15, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 Zlnucufor Fff/VAET/A;

Dec. 21 1926.

F. E. MARTIN v FLUID PRESSURE TAPERING DEVICE 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 15,

m W n Dec. 21 1926. 1,611,543

F. E. MARTIN FLUID PRESSURE TAPERING DEVICE Patented Dec, 21, 1925.

UiiliTED STATES i r tli fihi i FREDERICK E. MARTIN, 0F BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO MARTIN AIR DOG GOIEBANY, OF SAN FRANCISCG, CALIFORNIA, A CORPQRATION OF CALIFORNIA.

Application filed February 15, 1926.

This invention relates to improvements in tapering mechanism for saw mill carriages oi the type disclosed in my prior Patents Nos. 1,561,341 and 1,561,342, dated November 10, 1925. V

In certain types of saw mill set works adjusting means, particular the rack and pinion, the constructions described in the above noted applications present some practical difliculties, particularly where the motor mechanism is directly connected to the knee or to the member to be operated by the saw mill set works. In adjusting means of the rack and pinion type, it is necessary that the pinion have control over the knee at all times, and that the motor mechanism must not interfere with this connect-ion, and yet must be capable, independent of such connection, of adjusting the knee for taper purposes vvithout affecting the set works adjustment. These requisites compel a construction in which the set Works adjusting means must have a positive though yielding connection with the knee, and the motor mechanism must operate through this connection in order that the taper adjustments by the motor mechanism may inclependently move the knee without interfering with the set works adjustment control. "in securing th s result it has been found advantageous to mount the motor mechanism as a floating element, in that it has no positive connection with any part of the mechanism, and limit the floating movement of the motor mechanism in one direction by the connection between the set works adjusting member and the knee. The full floating possibility of the motor mechanism permits the operation of such mechanism'in a" dual capacity, in that the pistons thereof may be utilized to directly move the knee, while the cylinder is at its limit of floating movement as determined by the connection, and then to utilize the movement of the cylinder in a direction from such connection through pressure on the pistons abutting the connection. Thus, in all taper adjustments, the connection between the set works adjusting member and the knee serves as an anchor for the motor mechan sm, first tor the cylinder inthe movement of certain of the pistons, and then for one of the pisstons to compel movement of the cylinder.

Serial No. 88,451.

Through this connection, a comparatively large taper limitis permitted, and with the movement of the respective pistons, of selectively different lengths, a taper adjustment of the knee may be secured which is that of any selected piston or the aggregate of any number of pistons, and this without increasing the overall length or" the mechanism beyond its practical limits.

The-structure disclosed in the prior patents noted include an arrangement of pistons movable in the same direct on in the cylinder, certain of the pistons being either selective to obtain a desired taper position, or operable collectively, the accumulative result of the movements of the various pistons making up the desired taper adjustment of the knee. In applying the old structures to knees in use, certain mechanical and practical limitations are imposed, and to meet the conditions I have found that desired results can be obtained by arranging the mechanism .in such manner as to permit actuation of the pistons in opposite directions and thereby produce a larger variety of taper movements, and a greater accumulative ta'per movement of the knee within a comparatively small space.

Therefore the prime objects of this invention are to provide mechanism to increase the range of tapering movements for use in handling logs having exceptional tapers, and to provide specific and effective means for applying this type of taper mechanism to carriages employing the ordinary rack and pinion set works.

lVith these fundamental objects in View, the invention consists essentially in so arranging a plurality of pistons that their movements more or less may be individually controlled or compounded with the movement of their cooperating cylinder, to obtain desired taper movements and thereby increase the effective range or" taper sets when sawing logs of varying sizes.

The invention also comprehends improve ment in the specific details oi construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a saw mill carriage knee, showing the application of tapger set. 7

the invention; the parts being shown in full lines in normal position, and in dotted lines to illustrate the position of the cylinder and knee when pressure is admitted to obtain one of the desired taper sets.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the improvements applied to a knee, but with the constant pressure cylinder removed.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the same.

Fig. '4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the pistons and cylinder, when the parts are in normal position.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the position of the pistons when making two inch ta er set.

igjt' is a similar view showing the position of the pistons when making a four inch taper set.

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the position of the pistons when making a six inch i 8 is a similar view showing the position of the pistons when making an eight I inch taper set.

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the position of the pistons when making a ten inch taper set.

1 indicates a knee provided with a groove 2, to receive a rack bar 3, and 4 is a pinion which meshes with the teeth of the rack bar, all of which is of well known construction.

On the rack bar is a lug 5 to accommodate a pin 6, which extends laterally through slots 77 formed in the sides of the knee.

In the top of the horizontal portion of the knee is formed an undercut guide way 8, and mounted therein are flanged lugs 9,

depending from a cylinder 10. As shown,

thls cylinder is made of several sections, each of which is so constructed as to perform a specific function when assembled in cylinder form, hence it is deemed advisable to describe each section in detail.

The forward or head section 11 is in the nature of a shell, provided with a central opening 11 its annular rear edge fitting in a groove 1.2, formed in a ring like section 1.3. The section 13 as stated, is of ring like formation, with the groove 12 on one face, and a like groove. 14 on the rear face, and

at the top it is formed with a port 15, and

from the bottom extends a lug 9', guided in the guideway 8. 16 indicates an intermediate annular section the forward edge fitting in the groove 14 and its rear edge fitting in agroove 16, formed in a disk section 17, one of the lugs depending from this section. The disk section is formed on opposite sides with central depressions 18 and 19, and at the top are ports, one 20, leading to the de pression 18, and the other 21, leading to the depression 19, and from the bottom depends a lug 17". In the front face of the disk section is formed the groove 16, and in the rear face is formed a groove 22. In the groove 22 fits the annular edge of a rear section 23, provided with one of the depending lugs 9, and formed with a partition 24 provided with a central opening '25. Projecting rearwardly from the partition is a housing 26, formed with oppositely disposed guideways 27.

In the chamber or compartment 10 between the disk section 17 and the partition 24, is a piston 28, and extending rearwardly therefrom and through the opening 25, is a short rod 28, the terminal of which bears against the edge of a cross bar 29 mounted in the guide ways 27. The ends of the cross bar are formed into trunnions 30 which fit in openings 31 formed in the rear ends of substantially L-shaped links 32, the forward ends of the lower arms of which are provided with oaening's 33 to receive the lateral ends of t e pin 6.

In the chamber or compartment l0 defined by the front of the disk section 17, andthe ring like section 13, is a piston 34, consisting of a central disk 35, a rear disk 236 a forward disk 37, and'interposed packing rings between the disks. The forward end of the disk 37 is reduced to form an annular extension which fits snugly in the ring like section 18 when the parts are assembled,tho disks and packing rings being held togetlie by a central screw 38.

In the chamber or compartment 10 dd fined by the forward :tace of the ring like section 13, and the head of the front section 11, is a piston 39, provided with a piston rod 10 which extends through 0 n-ing 11 in the head, and at its forwarc end it formed with a crotch 41, to receive and en gage a bar 42, mounted in openings 4%? in the sides of the knee and adjusted by shims it and locked in position by bolts The vertical arms 46 of the substantially L- shaped links 32 extend up above the cylinder l0, and at their upper ends receive a pin 17.

In line with the pin at? is a cylinder 8 and extending rearwardly therefrom is a rod 49, formed at its free end with an operc ing to receive the pin 17. Operating in. this cylinder is a piston 51, having a rod 55'! which extends through a stufling box on the head, and at its free end it is pivoted a 7 to the rear oi the knee. A pipe 5% serves to admit constant pressure to the cylinder, which, through the connections described acts at all times to draw the knee and the cylinder 10 toward each other.

Communicating with the port 15 is a pipe 55, which leads to a port 56 in a valve casing 57, and from a port 58 in the valve casing leads another pipe 59 which communicates with port 20. The valve casing shown, is open at its end and is provided with an exhaust 60, and cooperating with the ports to obtain the desired results, is a valve 61,

comprising a pair of disks 62 and to control the movementof the two pistons and 39 in cylind'erlO.

65, indicates a second valve casing having its end open" to provide an exhaust 6 6, and is further formed with a port 67 A pipe 68 communicates with the port 67 i in the valve casing and the port 21 in cylinder 10. 69 indicates a valve operable in the casing 65, and comprises a rod. and a pair ofdisks '{0 and. 71 to control the movement of the piston 28.

As the valves per se form no specific part of this invention, they are merely shown conventionally. Obviously any suitable form of valve capable of controlling the desired fluid pressure will serve the purpose.

In operation, when the knees of a saw mill carriage are equi ped with this invention, either of the taper sets or positions may be selected as a normal osition for sawing straight logs, and thus maintain a'bufi er to take the blow fromtheknees when logs are introduced. 7

To betterillustrate the possibilities of the invention, let it be assumed that each taper set is two inches, or multiple thereof, although this is simply an arbitrary measurement, as any. determined set can be employed. Therefore, with the arrangement shown in the drawing it is possible to make a taper set two, four, six, eight, or ten inches.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the parts are in normal position. That is tosay, due to constant pressure in cylinder 48, and absence of pressure in cylinder 10, the piston 51 slides the knee on the rack bar toward pin 47, and through the medium of the cross bar 42 piston 39 is forced back againstthe ring section 13, which movement in turn forces the )iston 34 back against thedisk 17 If perchance the piston 28 was separated from disk 17, the seating of pistons 39 and 34 would force the cylinder'lO rearwardly until piston 28 encountered the disk 17, cylinder 10 being guided in this movement by the lugs 99. lVhen the parts have'thus found their normal position, the

constant pressure in cylinder 48 tends at all times to clamp thepistons and cylinder 10 between the cross bars 42 and 29. As the cylinder is not positively connected to therknee structur it affords flexibility between the parts, and greatly relieves the wear and strain. Sudden blows occur incident to the delivery of a log to the carriage.

Ii therparts are as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and atwo inch taper set is contemplated, valve 61 is operated to admit pressure through port 58, pipe 59 and port 20 to compartment 10 in rear of piston 34, which advances said piston until its shoulder 34* abuts against the ring like section l8,'which normal position of the knee to its e2;

movement likewise moves the piston 39, shown in Fig. 5. The movement of the pieton 34, by reason of the engagement of the crotched end of the rod 40, with the cross bar 42, slides the knee forward on the rack 7 bar independent of the cylinder, the slots 7-7 permitting free movement of the kee from the pin 6, the lugs 9-9 and groov 8. serving as a means to permit guidin movement between the parts. in this, or in any subsequent forward movement of the knee, the pressure in cylinder 10 must be greater than the pressure in cylinder and yet ressure in the latter cylinder n at all times be suiiicient to hold the pa in their relative cooperative relation as described. Should a'fourinch taper set be desired, valve 61 is operated to admit press-r e through port 56 and pipe to compartment 10 and behind piston 39, rd h advances: the piston until it abuts against the head of the cylinder section 11 as shown in F 6, pressure in the mesnti tained in compartment 10 not essential.

To obtain a six inch taper ec, 61 is positioned. as shown in Fig. vmit the pressure in compartments 1 b and 10, to exhaust at 5? and under the innuence of the constant pressure in cylinder 4 ing on the cross bar 42 and rod 40, pistons 39 and 34 are returned to their normal .ositions as shown. in Fi 4. Then vale 69 is operated to. admit pressure throu port 67 pipe 68g-and port 21 to compartmem 10 in frontof piston 28, which, acting on disk 17 as a piston and piston 28 as a head, the cylinder 10, hence the knee, is advanced a distance equ'alto the distance between the rear surface of piston 28 a d'the partition 24, or six inches, as shown in Fig". 1

To produce an eight inch taper the cylinder lO'and piston 28 remain in same position shown in Fig. 7, but v 61 is operated to admit pressure to scrap ment 10 behind piston 84, to move it up against'the ring section 13, which two in -h movement, added to the previous h movement of the cylinder, advam i ull eight'inches, as shown in F For a ten inch taper set when th piste s are positioned as shown in Fig. 8, it on"; necessary to operate valve 61 to admit pr sure to compartment 10 to advance 1 39, until it contacts with the head or cylinder. This movement amounts to inches, which, added to the eight lilt'l ,1 set position, makes the distance from All:

advanced movement, ten inches, as en in Fig. 9.

When pressure is admitted to the conpartment 10 to develop the movement n incident to the full sixinch stroke, the

cylinder 10, and the knee move forward as a unit, and when pressure is admitted to compartments 10 and 10 to actuate the respective pistons therein, the knee not slides on the rack bar, but also on the flanges 0t lugs 9-9'. The flanges there fore perform a dual function; that of guiding the cylinder 10 and the knee in the sliding movementof these elements, and that of retaining the two elements in cooperative relation to prevent displacement of the rod 40 from the cross bar 42.

From the foregoing position it will be seen that by the construction shown, the cylinder and its associated parts are never positively connected to the cylinder 10 or to the cross bar 4-2 and the links carried by the rack bar, and yet in the ordinary adjustment of the knee through the usual set works, the knee and rack bar act as a unit. Thus, save for the flanges between the cylinder and the knee, the cylinder ma be said tofloat, a feature which lends considerable flexibility to the parts when logs contact with the knees in the loading operation. As the links 32, are pivoted to the rack bar, and rocking movement is prevented by the cross bar 29 engaging in the guideways 27, it follows that the pin 4;? serves as an abutment for the cylinder in one direction of pressure effect, while the cross bar 12 engaging the rod 40, serves as an abutment for the opposite pressure effect on the piston 51. In other words the cylinder 10 and its pistons are clamped between the bars 29 and 42, and the parts are free to permit limited vibration when log impact with a knee occurs.

\Vhen sawing small straight logs and a buffer effect is not desired, the parts are in position shown in Fig. 1, and the pin 6 is engaged by front Wall of the slot 7. Hence, through bar 42 the cylinder and pistons, cross bar 29, and links 32, and pin 6, when log impact occurs, transmits the blow to the rack. When sawing large straight logs, pressure may be introduced to either of the chambers 10, 10 10 to move the parts to dot-ted line position. in Fig. 1, and act as a butler. Therefore the working parts which permits of the taper adjustments described, are not subject to injury by log impact, a teature which decidedly advantageous.

In any taper position, pressure behind the pistons acts as a buffer to take the blow, due to log impact, and because 01 there lj eing no positive connection between the piston rod 40 and piston 28, and as the structure is in direct line with the blow, and is flexible, liability of breakage or injury to the parts is reduced to a minimum. This is particularly true when the parts are set for a taper of six inches or over, as the blow when log impact occurs, may vibrate instantly, the two opposed pressures in cylinder 48 and 10 return the parts to cooperating position.

It will be ap arent that in the taper movements of t e knee, through initial adjustment of certain of the pistons and the subsequent bodily movement of the cvliruler, a zruiximum taper adjustment of the knee'is provided for, with a minin'ium length of motor adjustment; that by the provision of the motor mechanism, as a floating element, with respect to the knee to the bar connecting the set works t with the knee, said bar y be t .ltzcd as an anchor for the cy..nder Q the motor mechanism and thereafter as )1" relative to which the cylinder is moved. This arrangement provides an anchor or the motor mechanism which has e and constant relation to the set works adjusting means, with this anchor having a yielding and constant connection with the knee, which yields under taper adjustment of the knee and automatically compensates for the relative movement betvreen the knee and the bar in the rnee taper movements, while at the same time insuring that the normal relation between the knee and saw mill set works adjusting means, will be automatically resumed and maintained in the absence of operating pressure in the motor mechanism.

The construction described gives a greater range of taper adjustment and a greater number of individual taper adjustments than would be otherwise possible except through an undersirable extension of the working parts.

hat. I claim is:

1. In tapering mechanism for saw mill carriages, a knee, a slide on which the knee is mo vably mounted, yielding means between the slide and knee for holding such knee and slide in position for normal sawing conditions, and pressure operating means including a cylinder and a series of aligned pistons having a merely interposed or abutting relation. between the knee and the yielding means for mal'ting selected taper movements of the knee.

2. Tapering mechanism for saw mill carriages, including a knee, an. element operated by the usual set works and on which the knee movably mounted, yielding means for holding the knee and element in position for normal sawing conditions, and pr 110 operating means including a series of aligned pistons having a merely interposed or abutting relation between the knee and the yielding means for making selected taper adjustment of the knee.

3. In a saw mill carriage, a knee, means lit) llii

a'motor mechanism interposed between the 7 element and knee and tree of other than abutting contact connection with either, the element acting as a base for said motor mechanism in the taper adjustments oi the knee.

4. In a saw mill carriage, a knee, means operated by the set works for adjusting the knee, an element whereby the movement of said means is transmitted to the knee, and a motor mechanism interposed between the element and knee and tree of other than abutting contact connection with either, said motor mechanism including a plurality oi pistons operating directly on the knee, and

another piston operating on the knee through said element.

5. In a saw mill carriage, a knee, means operated by the set works for adjusting the knee, an element whereby the movement of said means is transmitted to the knee, and a motor mechanism interposed between the element and knee and free of other than abut-ting contact connection with either, said motor mechanism including av cylinder and independent pistons therein, certain of the pistons operating directly on the knee and the other of said pistons compelling a relative movement of the cylinder to operate the knee.

6. Ina saw mill carriage, a knee, means operated by the set works for adjusting the knee, an element whereby the'rnovement of said means is transmitted to the knee, and a motor mechanism interposed between the element and knee and tree of other than abutting contact connection with either, said motor mechanism including a cylinder and a plurality of pistons therein, certain of the pistons operating directly on the knee and another of the pistons operating against the element to actuate the knee through the first mentioned pistons by movement of the cylinder.

7 In a saw mill carriage, a knee, means operated by the set works for adjusting the knee, an element between said means and knee and including a yielding connection, a motor mechanism having slidable connection with the knee and bearing between the latter and the elementand tree of other than abutting contact connection with either, said motor mechanism including means to move the knee to different taper positions.

S -In a knee tapering mechanism, a knee, means operated by the set works for adjusting the knee, said means including an element having a yielding connection with the knee, and a motor mechanism including a cylinder having sliding connection with the element and with the knee, and pistons in said cylinder, with certain of the pistons directly cooperating with the knee and another of the pistons directly cooperating with the element.

9. In a knee tapering mechanism, a knee, a member operated by the saw mill set works for adjusting the knee, means connecting said member'and knee and yieldable to permit independent movement of the knee, and a motor mechanism with its respective parts abutting but free of other than abutting contact connection *ith the knee and element, the operation of said motor mechanism operating through the yieldable element to move the knee to different taper positions without affecting the control of the knee through said member by the set works.

10. In a knee tapering mechanism, a knee, a slide operated by the saw mill set works for adjusting the knee, a bar connected to the slide, a pressure operated connection between the bar and knee, a motor mechanism. including a cylinder slidably mounted on the knee, the movement of the cylinder in one direction being limited by the bar, a plurality of pistons in the cylinder to directly engage and operate the knee relative to the cylinder, and a piston in the cylinder to move the cylinder relative to the bar.

11, In a knee tapering mechanism, a slide operated by the set works, a bar connected to the slide, a pressure controlled connection between the bar and knee, and a motor mechanism operating between the knee and bar and free of direct connection other than an abutting contact with either, said motor mechanism including a cylinder and pistons operating therein, said cylinder moving relative to the knee in the operation of certain of the pistons and moving with the knee in'the operation of another of said pistons. 12. In a knee tapering mechanism, a slide operated by the set works, a bar connected to the slide, a pressure controlled connection between the bar and knee, and a motor mechanism operating between the knee and bar and free of direct connection with either, said motor mechanism including a cylinder having sliding connection with the knee and a plurality of pistons therein, certain of the pistons moving toward the knee in the taper adjustment of the latter and the other of said pistons moving from the knee and toward the bar in another taper adjustment of the knee.

13. In a knee tapering mechanism, a slide operated by the set works, a bar connectedto the slide, a pressure controlled connection between the bar and the knee, and a motor mechanism operating between the knee and bar and free of direct connection other than an abutting contact with either, said motor mechanism including a cylinder having sliding connection with the knee and a plurality of pistons therein, certain of the pistons moving toward the knee in the taper adjustment of the latter and the other ot'said pistons moving from the kneeandto- Ward the bar in another taperadjustinent'o't the knee, said latter piston movement tapering the knee through the bodily movement connection with said bar, whereby in the operation of the first piston the knee is moved independently of the cylinder and in the operation of the second pistonthe cylinder is moved with the. knee.

In a knee tapering mechanism, a knee, a rack'and pinion set works knee adjustment, including a bar fixed with relation tothe rack and pinion and having a yield able connection with theknee, and a motor mechanism including a cylinder slidably connected with the knee and limited in movement in one direction by the bar, oppositely acting pistons mounted in the cylinder and capable of selective actuation, the movement of either piston serving to taper the knee, one of the pistons acting directly on the knee and the other of saidpistons acting on the knee through the bar, the cylinder, and the direct acting piston.

16. In a knee tapering mechanism, a knee, a rack and pinion set works knee adjust- 'ment, including a bar fixed with relation to the rack and pinion and having a yieldableconnection with the knee, and a motor mechanism including a cylinder; shdably connected with the knee and limited in movement in one direction by the bar, a piston in the cylinder bearing directly against bnti'ree of connection with the knee and having a predetermined range of travel, a second piston in the cylinder having a different range of travel and acting to influence the knee through the first mentioned pistomand a third piston in the cylinder having a different range of travel and held against movement by the bar, and means for selectively operating the particular piston, the operation of the bar limited piston serving to compel a movement of the cylinder to afiectthe knee through the first mentioned piston.

17. In a saw mill carriage, a knee, set works connection with the knee including a connection with the knee, an abutmenton the sliding connection, yielding inter-con necting means between the abutment and knee tending to cause independent movement of the knee, taper adjusting means havingamerely interposed or abutting relation between said inter-connecting means to the knee, and means for actuating the taper adjusting means against the abutment.

.18. Ina taperingvmechanism for saw mill carriages, a knee, an element on which the knee is movably mounted, yielding means;

between the knee and element for holding the knee and element in position for normal sawing conditions, and pressure operating meansbetween the knee and yielding means for making selected taper movements of the knee, said pressure operating means being floatingly mounted in the sense that it may be either the pistons or the cylinder the movement of which moves the knee.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FREDERICK MARTIN. [1 s.] 

